The sponsored cycle will set off on May 22 and is the latest fund-raising effort on behalf of Sound Leisure for the Teenage Cancer Trust, which Sound Leisure has chosen as its official charity of 2009.

Last year, Sound Leisure agreed to co-sponsor jukeboxes for each of the ten new specialist £2,000,000 units that the charity is aiming to build nationwide. So far, four machines have been delivered and the rest will be sent once the units have been completed.

The jukeboxes are a wonderful way of creating a more informal and relaxed atmosphere on teenage wards. A recent patient at the newly opened Sheffield TCT unit commented, "Stepping from a ward onto the Teenage Cancer Trust Sheffield Unit is like moving from a hospital, into the corridor of a relaxed hotel or a friend's house - some of the snug doors are open and music filters out, making the atmosphere seem far more youthful, friendly and relaxed. Being treated in this environment helps to break down the barriers and dispel the feeling of isolation - something that is only too apparent on an adult ward."

 Teenage Cancer Trust estimate that with the units currently around the UK, only half of the teenagers diagnosed with cancer now have access to this dedicated, specialist support. Teenage Cancer Trust's aim is to build enough units so that, by 2012, every single teenager with cancer will be treated on one.

"There's never a good time to get cancer, but for a teenager the timing seems particularly cruel. Young people can get some of the most rare and aggressive forms of cancer. The emotional upheaval of adolescence can make a cancer diagnosis even harder to cope with," says Chris Black.

If you would like to support Chris and the work of the Teenage Cancer Trust, please contact chris.black@soundleisure.com for sponsorship details

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